IRA prison drama "Hunger" and crime comedy "In Bruges" will go head to head at the British Independent Film Awards with seven nominations apiece, more than any other 2008 picture.I hope this will get more attention to In Bruges, which was my favorite film from Sundance last January. It didn't get much attention in the States, but hopefully, this will jog people to get it from Netflix and see it! Also, great to see Hunger and Michael Fassbender continue to get kudos from what appears to be an amazing film. Read my review of In Bruges and view the trailer here.
"Hunger," starring Michael Fassbender as IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and directed by British artist Steve McQueen in his film-making debut, has been shortlisted in the best British independent film category along with "In Bruges."
Both "Hunger" and "In Bruges" have also been nominated for best debut director, best screenplay, best actor, best supporting actor and best technical achievement.
McQueen is also on the shortlist for best director, while "In Bruges" actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are up against each other in the best actor category.
Ralph Fiennes was nominated twice in the best supporting actor category -- once for "The Duchess" and one for "In Bruges."
It's Tuesday, which means it's DVD new release day. There haven't been many notable new releases lately, but today is a banner day.
Number one on my list of DVD's you need to add to your Netflix queue is In Bruges. I was lucky enough to see its world premiere at Sundance in January. It opened this spring in theaters but didn't seem to make much of a splash. I thought in Bruges was fantastic and it was my favorite film of the festival. Very funny, very violent and sometimes shockingly gory. Great dialog and interesting script by Oscar winning (short film) director Martin McDonagh, who is known for his award winning plays in Ireland. Colin Farrell was brilliant in the film. He was very funny, cries several times and then is shockingly violent and explosive showing an extensive range in the film. I thought the role fit him very well, one of his best in years, and really showcased him. Ralph Fiennes cracked me up because he usually plays so highbrow, and this role was with a low class accent and kind of a thug character. Brendan Gleeson was his usual wonderful character actor self. My husband and I still quote dialog from this film to each other. Our favorite exchange between Brendan and Colin:
Ken: Ray, you are about the worst tourist in the whole world.It's in the trailer here:
Ray: Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't.
Persepolis, the amazing Oscar nominated animated film is also out today, and Definitely, Maybe with adorable Abigail Breslin and Ryan Reynolds is worth a rental.
